Complete guide to strap-on harnesses
Posted on: June 22, 2008 09:06 | Posted by: Bonny
Erotica warning! Seriously sexy gear ahead! If you want to experiment with
strap-on sex, you should first read our need-to-know guide to harnesses and how to use them...
There's nothing more pleasurable than indulging in erotic strap-on sex with your partner for the very first time. It doesn't matter if you're gay, bisexual or straight, every couple can put their imaginations to good use and benefit from explosive orgasms with a harness and dildo combination.
Offering a unique sensual connection between you and your partner, a harness and dildo kit is a great way to indulge in a spot of gender-bending and sexy role-play. If you're a lesbian couple who have never played around with strap-ons before, this is a mutually satisfying experience of clit stimulation and penetration.
What is a harness?
Generally speaking, a harness lets you strap a dildo onto your body so that you can penetrate your partner while keeping your hands free for other sexual activities. Each harness has a rectangular section that sits over a woman's vulva or the base of a man's penis.
The front section of a harness has an O-ring or opening, through which you can slip in a (standard size) dildo of your choice. Many women love to indulge in strap-on sex because it allows them to experience the sensation of penetrating their partner while still enjoying clitoral stimulation.
The main types of harnesses
The majority of harnesses come in a variety of styles and materials, and with different features to suit your needs there's plenty of choice. It's therefore important to take your time when choosing your first harness. You can later build up your collection and choose different harnesses to achieve the type of strap-on sex you crave.
When saddling up for the first time you will notice that there are two basic modules for harnesses: jock modules, such as the Sportsheets Blush Leather Harness and Dildo and New Cummers Strap-on Starter Kit, and thong harnesses like the Tantus Bend Over Beginner Harness Kit and the Two Way Strap-on Harness.
Thong harnesses have one strap that goes around your waist or hips depending on where's most comfortable for you, or where allows greater manoeuvrability and deeper penetration for your partner. The other strap goes between your legs and over your butt cheeks like a thong, and attaches to the strap around your waist or hips.
With jock module harnesses there are three straps. One strap goes around your waist or hips and the other two straps attach to the sides of the front section of the harness, encircling your thighs and attaching to your waist or hips.
Pros and cons of each style
Thong-style harnesses have the obvious advantage of looking and feeling like a thong, so this type of harness is very easy to strap on and take off. The only disadvantage to this is that with most thong-style harnesses the middle strap is not adjustable, so smaller women may find the middle strap too big.
The second major advantage with a thong-style harness is that the dildo presses directly against your skin instead of against a pad, while the middle strap provides clit stimulation for the wearer.
On the other hand, jock-style harnesses will make you feel more in control of the dildo and more secure in the harness. Jock-style harnesses are generally more variable than thong-style harnesses, so large and small women will be able to adjust the straps to suit their size.
Also, jock-style harnesses don't cover up the wearers' anal or vaginal orifices, so other toys or activities can be brought in to increase the excitement for both of you, and many jock harnesses feature snap-out O-rings to allow use of different or bigger dildos.
Material girl
As with any sex toy the material used to make your harness can make a huge difference to your erotic experience, which in turn affects your orgasm. So pay attention!
Leather or leatherette harnesses, such as the Doc Johnson Vac-U-Lock Leather Ultra Harness 3000, are sensual to touch and have a naughty Dominatrix vibe to them, so it's an excellent harness material for steamy strap-on sessions.
Nylon is much cheaper than any other harness material, which is great for sex kittens on a budget. It's also machine washable in cold water and can do its thing in a hot tub!
Rubber is perfect for clean freaks as it can be easily cleaned, but it's also great for larger girlies because it's form fitting and flexible. The other main material used to make harnesses is vinyl, which is again easy to look after, long lasting and sturdy.
The small print
We have covered most of what you need to know about harnesses, but here are a few more pointers to help you choose the heavenly harness for you:
D-rings are more adjustable than buckles on your harness and can be loosened or tightened during sex.
Snap-out O-rings are perfect for those of you who love big dildos. Harnesses with permanent O-rings measure 1 3/4-inches, which fits most dildos, though smaller dildos can slip through.
Harnesses with dildo pads, such as the Switch Strap-on Dildo and Harness, prevent your pubic hair from being snagged between the harness and the dildo. But those of you who like to feel the dildo against your skin may choose to risk this.
If you want a dildo with balls, like the Realistic Cock 6-Inch with Suction Cup, be sure to invest in a cushioned harness so that the dildo can sit in front of the pad instead of getting caught up behind the harness.
When choosing the size of your harness, think about where it will sit: on your hips or on your waist, then choose the size according to your measurements in either of those areas.
Thigh harnesses, such as the Lap Dancer Thigh Harness and Dildo, are just the thing for sex with your partner in a sitting position, or if you want to provide your partner with a deeper sense of penetration the thigh harness will let you thrust your whole body into the movement.
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